Crave great stories? Listen up and read

Published: Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 6:35 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 6:35 p.m.

In 23 years as a newsroom schlub, I have learned at least one thing: Pay attention to people you most want to dismiss. They often have the best stories to tell.

Many years ago, for example, a Marion County woman called me to rant about the space shuttle breaking her house. I was on deadline and rolled my eyes dramatically. The sonic boom Columbia made as it re-entered the atmosphere caused her ceiling to crack, making it rain plaster parts in her living room, she told me.

I went to her house, saw the crack, made a few calls and learned she was not the only one filing property damage claims for sonic booms. Many were probably right. There was a federal procedure for filing such claims. NASA took it seriously but rarely, if ever, paid because it was hard to prove liability.

Point is, the woman's call turned out to be an interesting story. This was a certified, national thing, an odd problem that affected real people.

As was the blaring nighttime train horns described by another caller who loudly imitated the rule-breaking trains that kept him up at night. "Sir," I said, "have you called …" "WOOO-WOOOO," he shouted. "All night. It's ‘WOOO-WOOOO!'"

Turns out, there are federal rules on train noise. Another great story.

I thought of those folks this week as I cleaned my email inbox. I get hundreds of emails every week, many from companies trying to convince me to write about their products. They are easy to ignore. As entertainment editor, my primary job is to assign and write stories on local events. Tonight's zombie party in downtown, for example.

That's right, I was on the zombie beat this week. Additionally, I also received a text from reporter Rick Allen — a text about an entertainment story he was covering — that included the words "Boogerhead's girlfriend." This, my friends, is my job.

Most product pitches are not my job. This week, however, I paid attention.

"Dave," one email started, "have you ever had a conversation with a candy bar? Well, thanks to the new 4-D experience at Hershey's Chocolate World, now you can!"

"Happy Monday!" chirped one touting, of all things on a Monday, National Headache Awareness Week. Another sought coverage of the new travel book "Naughty Girl's Guide to Los Angeles."

One news release was on AppeTEETHERS, which are binkies that look like food. "While Dad is grillin' this summer," the release noted, "his new bundle of joy can gnaw on the Baby-Q Rib" or the "Chompin' Chicken Wing."

Tuesday's pick came with the subject line "78-year-old Transgender Woman Will Steal Your Heart" and touted a new book called "My Uncle Gloria."

But like those callers who turn out to be reasonable people with great stories, sometimes emails could turn out to be stories of interest. Can Uncle Gloria really steal my heart? Can chocolate talk? Can National Headache Awareness Week make Mondays happy?

In work, as in life, sometimes the meat is in the minutiae. With that lesson learned, perhaps it is time to hop a train to Los Angeles with my helpful new travel guide. "WOO-WOOO!"

<p>In 23 years as a newsroom schlub, I have learned at least one thing: Pay attention to people you most want to dismiss. They often have the best stories to tell.</p><p>Many years ago, for example, a Marion County woman called me to rant about the space shuttle breaking her house. I was on deadline and rolled my eyes dramatically. The sonic boom Columbia made as it re-entered the atmosphere caused her ceiling to crack, making it rain plaster parts in her living room, she told me.</p><p>I went to her house, saw the crack, made a few calls and learned she was not the only one filing property damage claims for sonic booms. Many were probably right. There was a federal procedure for filing such claims. NASA took it seriously but rarely, if ever, paid because it was hard to prove liability.</p><p>Point is, the woman's call turned out to be an interesting story. This was a certified, national thing, an odd problem that affected real people.</p><p>As was the blaring nighttime train horns described by another caller who loudly imitated the rule-breaking trains that kept him up at night. "Sir," I said, "have you called …" "WOOO-WOOOO," he shouted. "All night. It's 'WOOO-WOOOO!'"</p><p>Turns out, there are federal rules on train noise. Another great story.</p><p>I thought of those folks this week as I cleaned my email inbox. I get hundreds of emails every week, many from companies trying to convince me to write about their products. They are easy to ignore. As entertainment editor, my primary job is to assign and write stories on local events. Tonight's zombie party in downtown, for example.</p><p>That's right, I was on the zombie beat this week. Additionally, I also received a text from reporter Rick Allen — a text about an entertainment story he was covering — that included the words "Boogerhead's girlfriend." This, my friends, is my job.</p><p>Most product pitches are not my job. This week, however, I paid attention.</p><p>"Dave," one email started, "have you ever had a conversation with a candy bar? Well, thanks to the new 4-D experience at Hershey's Chocolate World, now you can!"</p><p>"Happy Monday!" chirped one touting, of all things on a Monday, National Headache Awareness Week. Another sought coverage of the new travel book "Naughty Girl's Guide to Los Angeles."</p><p>One news release was on AppeTEETHERS, which are binkies that look like food. "While Dad is grillin' this summer," the release noted, "his new bundle of joy can gnaw on the Baby-Q Rib" or the "Chompin' Chicken Wing."</p><p>Tuesday's pick came with the subject line "78-year-old Transgender Woman Will Steal Your Heart" and touted a new book called "My Uncle Gloria."</p><p>But like those callers who turn out to be reasonable people with great stories, sometimes emails could turn out to be stories of interest. Can Uncle Gloria really steal my heart? Can chocolate talk? Can National Headache Awareness Week make Mondays happy?</p><p>In work, as in life, sometimes the meat is in the minutiae. With that lesson learned, perhaps it is time to hop a train to Los Angeles with my helpful new travel guide. "WOO-WOOO!"</p><p><i>Contact Dave Schlenker at go@starbanner.com or 867-4120.</i></p>